The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-13
A QUESTION OF ART.


A Washington special to the Journal, a day
or two ago. stated that in accordance with the
law enacted by Congress providing for the
purchase of white marble busts of the Vice.
presidents, to be placed in the inches in the
Senate chamber, the library committee has
solicited propositions from sculptors for the
work, commencing with the late Vice-presi-
dent Hendricks. Not more than $500 is to
be paid for a single bust, and preference is to
be given in each case to an artist from the
State from which the ice-president came.
The idaa C appropriate if properly carried
out. Well executed busts of the Vice-presi
dents would have historic as we'll as artistic
value, and there is propriety in placing them
in the Senate chamber. The sum allowed for
each one, $500, is sufficient to secure the
services of frst-class artist and none other
should be employed But the provision that
preference is to be given in each case to an
artist from the State from which the Vice
president came may prove death-blow to
are concerned. Itsmacks of demagogism, and
in this respect resembles most Of the legisla-
ton of Congress relating to art Art and pol
itics do not mix we'll together. AS rule, the
artist knows nothing about politics, and the
politician nothing about art. Congress has
expended considerable money, first and last,
for so-called works of art and much, if not
most OF it, has been spent foolishly. The rea-
son is, it has been disbursed by men who knew
little or nothing of art, and were either
easily deceived in regard to the artistic
merits and money value of work, or
else were influenced by personal or political
motives. Artists and connoisseurs laugh at
most Of the so called works of art in Washing
ton; they would weep if they knew by what
base and unworthy meanssome Of the orders
have been obtained and contracts awarded to
mere tyros and bunglers in art.
The provision that in procuring busts of
the presidents preference shall be given
to the State where he lived is calculated to
make some conspicuous additions to the
artistic botches now in Washington. 1t is an
absurd attempt to cater to the sentiment of
State pride in matter where no such senti-
ment should enter Nobody cares where a
sculptor or painter lives. The question
no nationality and knows no State
lines. The provision relative to employing
artists from the States where the Vice-presi
dents lived, if rigidly adhered to, may result
in placing some very worthless work in the
Senate chamber. The Vice presidents since
the adoption of the Constitution represent q
dozen different States some of which may
have artists capable of executing good bust
while others certainly have not. 1t is to bt
hoped the committee who have the matter in
charge will use large and wise discretion il
constituting the provision referred to.
The dispatch says the committee :have de
termined to commence with the bust of Vice
president Hendricks. If Indiana is to be thu
first State whose officer is to be commend
rated, they might more appropriately have
commenced with Mr.. Colfax, who served
full term as Vice president, while Mr.. Hend
ricks served only few months Mr.. Collar
presided over the Senate four gular sessions
and Mr.. Hendricks only one Why not be
gin with the one who served longest and ha
been longest dead.